September 5, 2008

Ryan Callahan '03 joins Rangers Official Rangers

Official Rangers web page: http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8471339&service=page  

From the Democrat & Chronicle Nov. 29, 2006 by Kevin Oklobzija Staff writer

Even though the New York Rangers promoted Ryan Callahan on Tuesday morning, management and coaches for the NHL team apparently still have some doubts. The rookie right winger was brought up to Madison Square Garden for practice, but he didn't play in Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Thrashers. While Callahan, 21, has been piling up goals in the American Hockey League, the Rangers first want to gauge in practice how he fits in with NHL players before he plays in a game.

"They wouldn't guarantee I'd get in the lineup; they didn't want to give me false hope," said Callahan, who scored 15 goals, 6 assists and 21 points in 19 games with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. It seems only natural that the Rangers aren't sure if Callahan is NHL-ready. "Everyone has always doubted this kid," said Callahan's agent, Steve Bartlett of Pittsford-based Sports Consulting Group.   "First he wasn't on the draft radar (in 2004). Then he was drafted (fourth round, 127th overall) but they weren't sure if he could play in the NHL." That's why Callahan turned down the Rangers' contract offer in the summer of 2005 and opted to return to the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm as an overage player. Some 52 goals later, and with the trophy as the OHL's best overager, Callahan signed with the Rangers in July.

"They were fairly protracted contract negotiations, but I didn't want to sell him short," Bartlett said. Now the Rangers are obviously happy they signed the lifelong Hilton resident. He is Hartford's leading scorer, ranks fifth in the AHL in goals and is second in power-play goals (nine). "He plays with passion, he plays with courage and he'll go into high-traffic areas," Wolf Pack coach Jim Schoenfeld said recently. "He's been pretty much a complete player."   The Rangers wanted to take an up-close look in practice this week. They don't necessarily need to make lineup changes but wanted to reward Callahan for his terrific November. In 13 games this month, he has 13-5-18. That includes 9-5-14 in his past eight games. "He has very good strength and balance on his feet, and he doesn't mind the confrontation," Schoenfeld said. Since the Rangers were playing on Tuesday night, the morning skate was short and sweet.  "It was a good way to calm the nerves, with a light skate," Callahan said. "It was nice to get a chance to skate with these guys at this level with all the superstars they have." Callahan said the players all shook his hand and introduced themselves. He knows he's not in New York to take Jaromir Jagr's job, however. "I think he knows his spot is safe," Callahan said with a laugh.  While he only watched Tuesday night's game, he's hoping his NHL debut may take place in his own backyard.  

The Rangers play in Buffalo against the Sabres on Friday. "That would be unbelievable, to play my first NHL game in Buffalo," Callahan said. "That would be a dream."